Health Care Reform?

Maybe I'm missing it, but in all the heat generated by the discussion about health care reform from the politicians and media I don't see much about the one thing that will make the biggest, longest lasting difference: 'self care' reform.

I saw this billboard on I-88 heading East into Chicago from Aurora. It was sponsored by the local health care provider in the Western Suburbs - Dryer Medical. It said: "Busy yourself with your life. We'll attend to your health". No, thanks. That's how we got into this mess.

Many health indicators are going in the wrong direction - obesity rates, adult onset diabetes among children, Alzheimer's disease, and many more. Even if we could 'fix' the problem of who pays for what coverage we'll never be able to afford it for the long haul as we all get sicker and sicker -unless we change the direction of many trends. We are paying way to much for preventable diseases.

I lead a workshop for school faculty and for parents about brain research, but it is generally about health - take care of the brain and you've taken care of your whole body.

What does this have to do with faith formation in the home? I call the workshop: "Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength" . Parents pass on many things to their children. One of them is a view on stewardship... how we use what we have been given by God. The base gift is life itself and how we care for that, or not, says much about how we are able to worship God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.

We continue to be impressed by the approach Dr William Sears takes. He is all about prevention, and gives very understandable information and very easy steps to make significant changes in family lifestyles so we can give God our best. As is the case with many books and web sites, there is often also a pitch. Much to learn from Dr Sears but you will also find a pitch for his supplements and more. We affirm his information without endorsing his products. If I was going to endorse anything it would be the products we have taken since Becky got cancer, way back in 1992. We eat as healthy as we can, we exercise and we take food supplements. And we have both essentially stopped getting sick with the flu, cold bug etc. How's that for a product pitch? ;)

Check out some info from Dr Sears on junk food and the brain.